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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Findecanor on Tue, 08 April 2014, 04:44:00

Title: Wrapping keyboard cables safely?
Post by: Findecanor on Tue, 08 April 2014, 04:44:00
Many vintage keyboards I have seen have once been stored for long times with the cable wrapped around the keyboard's case where the plastic in the cable has "eaten" itself into the case over time leaving ugly marks.
How should I store the keyboards in my collection to prevent this from happening?

I usually store my keyboards in a box, with the cable wrapped into a bundle on the side, sometimes with a zip-tie .. but mostly in a big mess together with other cables. I'm starting to think that I should start changing the way I do, maybe wrap the keyboard and/or cable in plastic or in a plastic bag.
What do you do?

Title: Re: Wrapping keyboard cables safely?
Post by: Kliee on Tue, 08 April 2014, 04:53:44
I guess the best would be something like this, no?

(image from clickykeyboards.com):
[attach=1]
Title: Re: Wrapping keyboard cables safely?
Post by: blackbox on Tue, 08 April 2014, 05:24:40
I guess the best would be something like this, no?

(image from clickykeyboards.com):
(Attachment Link)

Put a dust cover on the keyboard and that will be pretty much optimal. Maybe you could use an tool drawer :p

(http://www.northerntool.com/images/product/2000x2000/276/2762_2000x2000.jpg)
Title: Re: Wrapping keyboard cables safely?
Post by: rowdy on Tue, 08 April 2014, 05:34:27
I guess the best would be something like this, no?

(image from clickykeyboards.com):
(Attachment Link)

I'd think something like that would be the best.

I tend to try to coil the cables back as they came out of the box and cinch them in the middle with either the attached velcro strap, or a wire cable tie (one of those with a thin wire wrapped in plastic, whatever they are called).  But that seems to squash the cable a bit more than a loop with a tie on each side would.
Title: Re: Wrapping keyboard cables safely?
Post by: fohat.digs on Tue, 08 April 2014, 07:42:57
Plastic-to-plastic sometimes makes ugly goo over the long term.

I have folded them longitudinally and slid them into something like cardboard tubes that paper towels come rolled around.

But often I simply roll them into an oval and put them in a zip-lock baggie.
Title: Re: Wrapping keyboard cables safely?
Post by: esoomenona on Tue, 08 April 2014, 09:39:04
Get then sleeved in all colors of the rainbow! Crisis averted, fun introduced.
Title: Re: Wrapping keyboard cables safely?
Post by: khaangaaroo on Tue, 08 April 2014, 11:15:34
detachable cable mod EVERYTHING
Title: Re: Wrapping keyboard cables safely?
Post by: Kliee on Tue, 08 April 2014, 11:34:51
detachable cable mod EVERYTHING

This is undoubtly the best solution!

Well, exept for those who loose everything. One month and the cable is nowhere to be seen  ;D